Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/24
Friday’s minor NFL moves:
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S Jalen Pitre (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Waived (with non-injury settlement): WR Odell Beckham Jr. (story)
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: DT Jaquelin Roy
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/24
Today’s practice squad transactions in the NFL:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Siaki Ika
New York Jets
- Released: DE Takk McKinley
Washington Commanders
- Released: WR Mike Strachan
Since being waived by the team that drafted him 26th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, McKinley has struggled to find a place in the NFL. Since 2020, McKinley has spent time on six different teams, failing to stick anywhere.
NFL Injury Updates: Herbert, Bullard, Prater
The Chargers are 8-5 under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff, good for second place in the AFC West and the sixth seed in the AFC. Harbaugh gave the media an update today that could spell trouble for the team hoping to make a playoff push and run, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty as Charged podcast.
According to Harbaugh, quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with a leg contusion as well as a sprained left ankle this week. Harbaugh claimed that Herbert is “doing everything and anything in his power to play on Sunday,” hinting that practicing was a possibility today, but ultimately, Herbert was not a participant in today’s practice.
Herbert had been the picture of health, starting every game since his debut until missing the final four games of last year. Los Angeles will hope that he doesn’t need to miss much time, if any, and that he’ll be able to help them close out the season as a playoff team.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the league:
- Packers safety Javon Bullard left the locker room this Sunday on crutches after suffering a right ankle injury. After undergoing MRI testing today, it was determined that the injury was not guaranteed to be long-term. There is still a risk that Bullard may miss time, as he’s been designated as week-to-week, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
- We’ve been reporting on the injury of Cardinals veteran kicker Matt Prater this season and the possibility of his return without much understanding of his injury. Last we had heard, Prater’s knee injury was not considered season-ending despite all the time missed already. Josh Weinfuss of ESPN finally shed some light on the situation, reporting that Prater has been recovering from meniscus surgery to his left knee. This is far more clarity than the “soreness” designation that had been prevalent earlier in the season and gives us a better idea of what Prater is working through to return to the field.
Broncos Assistants To Receive Interest From Other Teams?
The Broncos are surpassing expectations as they’ve rattled off three straight wins to match the Chargers’ 8-5 record to draw even with them in the AFC West. While the players are taking care of business, their success is in no small part due to the coaching staff put together in Sean Payton‘s second head coaching tenure, as well. That fact hasn’t gone unnoticed in league circles. 
According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, the team’s winning ways could result in a good amount of turnover on the coaching staff. Klis points out that the team hasn’t had a coordinator hired away for a head coaching job since former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio left to coach the Raiders in 2015. Similarly, no one has left the front office for greener pastures since 2005, when then-director of pro personnel Rick Smith left to become the Texans general manager.
This year, Klis has identified a few staffers who could get offered bigger jobs. First, he notes that defensive coordinator (and former head coach) Vance Joseph‘s work has been impressive enough to perhaps earn him a second look at a head coaching gig. While the loss would sting the Broncos, Denver could possibly benefit from the compensatory picks they would receive for letting go of a minority coordinator.
Davis Webb has only been coaching for two years, barely removed from the end of his playing career, but he has been impressive as a quarterbacks coach helping Payton coach Russell Wilson through a bounce back season last year and rookie quarterback Bo Nix to an 8-5 record and potential Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. Webb’s success could lead to some extremely early coordinator looks for the 29-year-old.
Another former player turned coach, defensive back coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard could certainly be getting some defensive coordinator looks. Following the end of his playing career as a crafty safety, Leonhard went back to his alma mater to coach defensive backs at Wisconsin. After only a year coaching the position, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and seemed destined for the head coaching job after Paul Chryst was fired. He was passed over for the gig and, after a year as an analyst at Illinois, rejoined the ranks of the NFL with the Broncos. It’s only been a year, but Leonhard could be a popular name when jobs open up.
Lastly, Klis gives credit to assistant general manager Darren Mougey. Hired as a scouting intern 12 years ago, Mougey has quietly climbed the ranks in the personnel department, working alongside former general manager John Elway and current general manager George Patton. His impact and longevity over the years could put him in a prime position once interviews start for open general manager jobs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/24
Wednesday’s minor roster updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Carlos Washington Jr.
- Placed on IR: RB Jase McClellan
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: DT Dawuane Smoot, LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Packers’ practice squad: DT Jonathan Ford
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Designated to return from IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to season-ending IR: G KT Leveston
Miami Dolphins
- Designated to return from IR: WR Grant DuBose
New York Giants
- Signed off Cardinals’ practice squad: CB Divaad Wilson
- Designated to return from IR: OL Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: S Tyler Nubin
New York Jets
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: CB Jaylin Simpson
- Placed on IR: WR Irvin Charles
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated to return from IR: CB Artie Burns, S K’Von Wallace
It’s unfortunate news for the rookie second-round safety, Nubin. After starting the first 13 games of his first season in the NFL, the top-drafted safety in the 2024 NFL Draft will end the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Nubin had graded out as the 34th-best safety in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), before the injury.
Charles will miss the remainer of the season, as well, and perhaps some of next year. The former undrafted receiver will be undergoing surgery for a torn ACL.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/11/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: P Michael Palardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT DeShawn Williams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Erick Hallett
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: C Dieter Eiselen
New York Giants
- Signed: T Jalen McKenzie
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Brittain Brown
Arizona is bringing in the left-footed punter as regular punter Blake Gillikin is dealing with an ankle injury on his kicking foot. If Gillikin can’t go on Sunday, Palardy will see his first game action since he finished the back half of the 2022 season in New England.
Saints’ Derek Carr Suffers Hand Fracture
DECEMBER 9: Carr is in fact dealing with a fracture in his left hand, per Rapoport and colleague Tom Pelissero. A multi-week absence is expected as a result, which could very well mean Carr will be out for the remainder of the season.
DECEMBER 8: The Saints’ 2024 NFL season has been a frustrating one full of streaks. Despite breaking up the streaks today with a win, an injury today could lead to another streak of losses to close the season. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, quarterback Derek Carr suffered a fracture in his left, non-throwing hand during today’s win over the Giants. 
In an effort to dive over several players to reach the first down marker, Carr was upended and landed directly on his hand and wrist. This led to the initial fear that he had suffered the fracture in his nondominant hand. He ended up leaving the stadium with the injured hand in a cast, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
The Saints began their season with two dominant wins, with the second coming against a team most thought would be a contender in the NFC. Looking back, the win over the Cowboys wasn’t quite as impressive as was initially thought, which was well-reflected in the six-game losing streak that would follow.
Part of the reason for that losing streak was the loss of Carr at quarterback. An oblique injury forced him to miss three games — all lopsided losses. With Carr out, the Saints opted to start rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler out of South Carolina. In the three losses, Rattler averaged about 190 yards per game, throwing one touchdown to two interceptions. In the second and third starts of his career, Rattler saw second-year passer Jake Haener enter the game in relief of him.
It’s unclear if Carr will miss any time yet, but it’s highly likely. We often see defenders play with a club cast on an injured hand, but even though it’s not his throwing hand, it would be extremely difficult for Carr to receive the snap under center or catch a snap in shotgun with a cast on his left hand. Add in the risk of further damage with little left to play for as a 5-8 team with a difficult path to the playoffs ahead of them, and we may have seen the last of Carr this season.
If that’s the case, New Orleans will have to make a decision of whether to give Rattler or Haener more starting opportunities to close the year. Rattler has been deemed the investment piece so far but has ceded his responsibilities to Haener twice in three starts. Regardless, it does seem that Carr’s injury makes the outlook for the remainder of the Saints’ season a bit grim.
Steelers Rumors: Wilson, Pickens, RBs
We’ve touched a bit recently on the Steelers’ intention to re-sign veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and even touched a bit on the possibilities for his free agent stock, but recent reports have gone even further in reassuring that the intent is for Wilson to continue starting into the 2025 NFL season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
This is a small specification, as clearly, if they wanted him to stick around, he was probably going to continue to be the starter. But with the younger Justin Fields also having a decent showing during his tenure as the starter earlier this year, there was certainly a chance that Wilson was acting as a placeholder for a developing Fields. After Fields opened the season with a 4-2 start, many were curious why the Steelers wouldn’t stick with the hot hand.
Wilson, though, has gone 5-1 since taking over as the starter, giving Pittsburgh a couple of options for the future. When Fields was starting, he was acting mostly as a game manager for a middling offense, but when Wilson came in, the offense exploded into production. Wilson’s chemistry with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been the difference and given Wilson a clear road to a permanent starting job in Pittsburgh.
Here are a few other rumors coming out of the Steel City:
- In a recent Q&A on X, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic gave an answer on the future of leading wide receiver George Pickens. While Pickens’ immaturity can get in his own way at times, Kaboly believes the youth and talent of the 23-year-old are enough to warrant an extension in the near future, predicting a good chance that it happens.
- In a different Q&A, Kaboly also made a prediction on the team’s future at running back. With both Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris in contract years, Kaboly calls it a “no brainer” that Pittsburgh tenders an offer to Warren. He goes on to say that he doesn’t see Harris back with the team next year, unless the free agent market doesn’t provide much competition for him, and he returns for a year on a “prove it” deal. It’s an interesting stance given the difference in production between the two this year, but many analysts have favored Warren in recent years, and the Steelers may be on the same page.
NFL Coaching Rumors: Bears, Shanahan, Sanders
As we continue to inch closer to the end of the season, head coaching jobs are becoming open, and more and more speculations are connecting candidates to new locations. According to Diana Russini of The Athletic, there are quite a few mixed opinions on whether or not Chicago is a premier destination for a new head coach.
There are certainly factors that make the Bears an attractive team to coach. Rookie No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has shown promise throughout his first season on the team. There are a few other young, talented players ready to be developed, and even with some veteran contributors likely to be on their way out soon, Chicago should be in a pretty good position salary cap-wise over the next few years.
The issue comes from the organization’s management. For years and years now, horror stories have come out of Halas Hall concerning the uncertain hierarchy in the building. Candidates and their agents are doing research on team president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles in order to determine who will have the ability and intent to potentially overrule the head coach. How stable or risky the situation is will likely contribute to the quality of candidates that interview for the job.
Here are a few other rumors about coaching situations across the NFL:
- We touched recently on some of the “comical” rumors that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was approaching a hot seat. General manager John Lynch shut down those rumors, but Shanahan felt the need to speak on a similar rumor after today’s win, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. When asked about speculation that another team should trade for him this offseason, Shanahan told the media, “I don’t want to be any place in the world more than here.”
- In what has been viewed as a relatively weak candidate pool for head coaching candidates this year, some college coaching names are popping up in conversations. One name that many have been looking for is fast-rising Colorado head coach and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. Sanders began his head coaching career at Jackson State, finding immediate success that led to his hiring at Colorado. After a rough first year under Sanders, the Buffaloes turned it around with a 9-3 season behind two separate Heisman candidates this season. With his obvious connections to certain NFL franchises, it makes sense that this would be the next step for Sanders, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, his name has not been making the rounds in coaching circles yet. The two teams that he has been linked to as a good fit, the Cowboys and Raiders, don’t have open coaching jobs, and he is currently not viewed as a natural fit for Chicago, New Orleans, or New York.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/7/24
Saturday’s minor transactions, including gameday practice squad elevations:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: DT DeWayne Carter
- Elevated: S Lewis Cine, TE Zach Davidson
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena, LB Jacoby Windmon
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: S Adrian Colbert, RB Darrynton Evans
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Joshua Cephus
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LB Junior Colson
- Elevated: RB Jaret Patterson, S Kendall Williamson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB Charles Woods
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Zach Triner
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from IR: LS Andrew DePaola, K Will Reichard (story)
- Elevated: OLB Gabriel Murphy
- Waived: K John Parker Romo
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: WR Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: DT Elijah Garcia, DE Casey Rogers
- Elevated: T Tyre Phillips, CB Greg Stroman
- Placed on IR: DT D.J. Davidson
- Waived: QB Tim Boyle
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: WR Allen Lazard, G Wes Schweitzer (story)
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Placed on IR: LB C.J. Mosley (story)
- Waived: C Connor McGovern
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: TE E.J. Jenkins
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame, S Andre’ Sam
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: LB Antonio Grier
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, CB Dallis Flowers
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: WR Mason Kinsey, DB Kendall Brooks
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Eagles starting tight end Dallas Goedert has been placed on injured reserve, so Jenkins will come up from the practice squad for a little added depth.